The mainstream European auto manufacturers have more power and economy in store for the 2010 model year. Here are some of the highlights from the Continent:

Audi

Perhaps the most riveting news is the addition of a V-10 to the sleek, exotic-looking Audi R8 supercar. The all-wheel drive R8 has been sold so far with a 420-horse, 4.2-liter V-8 that surely doesn't lack power.

The new, 5.2-liter V-10 produces 525 horsepower and can propel the two-seat R8 from standstill to 60 miles an hour in less than 3.9 seconds.

It'll cost you, though. Starting retail price, including destination charge, with the V-10 is $147,200.

In 2010, Audi becomes the first automaker in the United States to have an entire model lineup with a direct injection engine system. It boosts performance and fuel economy by carefully metering fuel going into the engine.

In other news, there's a lower-priced, base Audi A5 now, because a 2-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine is among the offerings. The powerplant produces 211 horsepower in the base A5 coupe, which starts at $36,825.

The Audi A3 adds a fuel-thrifty, 2-liter, diesel, four-cylinder engine for the first time in the States, which boosts government fuel economy ratings to 30/42 mpg.

The Audi A6 sedan gets a more powerful V-6. The 3.2-liter V-6 for this five-seater adds Audi Valvelift System to help it generate 265 horses in 2010.

Meantime, the A8 in 2010 will no longer be available with W-12 engine, and the S8 is discontinued.

BMW

Think of BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo as a blimped-up, midsize sedan with a rear hatch. Based on the 5 Series sedan, the 5 Series GT is longer, wider and taller. Even the wheelbase is stretched.

The Gran Turismo has a hatchback rear end. Three engines are available, including a 3-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel six cylinder and a 400-horsepower, 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8.

For the 2010 model year, at least, BMW will retain its 5 Series station wagon, alongside the new Gran Turismo.

In other news, BMW adds M versions to its X5 and X6 lines in the 2010 model year. Both X5 M and X6 M get a 555-horsepower, 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer earns only a a dismal 12 mpg in the city and just 17 mpg on the highway in the federal government's fuel mileage rating for each of these M models.

Last, all 7 Series sedans get an eight-gear automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive becomes available.

The 12-cylinder engine in the top-of-the-line 7 Series is a new, 544-horsepower, 6-liter, twin-turbocharged powerplant.

Mercedes-Benz

Long known for wringing fuel mileage out of diesel powerplants, the German automaker moves into the gasoline-electric hybrid arena for the first time by offering two 2010 hybrid models.

The 2010 S400 Hybrid combines a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 with an electric motor for a total of 295 horsepower.

Thus, the hybrid version of this hefty, Mercedes sedan flagship earns a 19/26-mpg rating from the U.S. government. This compares with a 15/23 mpg rating for a nonhybrid S-Class.

The 2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid SUV uses the same 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 as the S-Class hybrid but has two electric motors to help produce a total of 335 horses and 381 foot-pounds of torque.

The U.S. government hasn't announced a fuel economy rating for this model yet, though the 2010 ML350 BlueTec model with diesel engine rates a commendable 18/25 mpg.

The midsize E-Class adds a coupe that in essence replaces the brand's CLK. The E-Class coupe uses a shortened wheelbase platform and the 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and 382-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8 that's also offered in the E-Class sedans.

Saab

The biggest news at Saab is the sale of the brand this year to a consortium headed by Koenigsegg Automotive AB. It's all part of the big selloff of automotive brands that General Motors undertook while in bankruptcy protection in 2009.

Understandably, future product plans for Saab are still under review. But the company confirms that a new Saab 9-5 sedan will debut in 2010.

Exterior styling of the 9-5 five-seater is clean and minimal in a Scandinavian way, and three engines -- all turbocharged -- will be available. These include a 220-horsepower, 2-liter gasoline engine and a 300-horsepower, 2.8-liter gasoline V-6.

The 9-5 will be available with all-wheel drive.

The 9-3X was introduced this calendar year as a revised five-door wagon with available all-wheel drive.

The turbocharged V-6 of the previous 9-3 SportCombi is gone, so the only powerplant is the 210-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged four cylinder.

Volkswagen

It's time for a sixth-generation Golf/Rabbit, but the company again is dropping the name "Rabbit."

Thus, VW's 2010 five-passenger, compact car will be called the Golf only.

Styling is new, and so is the interior. Even the chassis is reworked for better handling and ride. The Golf's 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, inline, gasoline five cylinder remains, but a zippy 140-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, diesel four cylinder also will be available. Best of all, this turbodiesel helps give the new Golf an enviable fuel economy rating of 30 mpg in city driving and 42 mpg on the highway.

VW's sporty GTI hatchback also is restyled inside and out for this model year. But the GTI engine remains the same as in 2009: a 200-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder.

In the CC and the Passat, the six-speed automatic is replaced by the direct sequential gear,box six-speed, dual-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Also in 2010, the Touareg SUV no longer is available with a 4.2-liter V-8. VW started offering a 225-horsepower, 3-liter, diesel V-6 this year.